Classifieds - November 3, 2026

NORTH CANAAN — Raymond “Pete” Conklin, 89, of North Canaan, Connecticut, passed away on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. He was born on March 10, 1937, in North Canaan, where he grew up and lived most of his life. As a boy, he spent countless hours with his grandparents in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. There, his grandmother worked as a cook for Norman Rockwell, and his grandfather taught him to fish and appreciate the outdoors.

After graduating from Housatonic Valley Regional High School (H.V.R.H.S.) in 1955, Pete joined the US Air Force, proudly serving for four years while stationed in Phoenix, Arizona. Following his service, he returned to Canaan and built a successful career as a mechanic and machinist, working at Becton-Dickinson and later the Torrington Company before retiring in 2002.

NORFOLK — Ernest B. Sinclair, April 20, 1937 - October 26, 2026. Ernie, 89, passed quietly on Oct. 26 ,at Geer Lodge in Canaan, Connecticut surrounded by those he loved.

Ernie was born in Bar Harbor, Maine. The family moved to naval housing in Middletown, Rhode Island while father Leon was stationed on battleships in the South Pacific during the second world war. After the war, they made the move to Norfolk, Connecticut. It was here that Ernie met his childhood sweetheart, Carolyn Ryan.They were married in 1959 and wasted no time in starting a family. Over the next six and a half years, four boys and a girl were born. They lived in several places early in their marriage, but in 1967, the lure of a smaller town and a larger house brought them back to Norfolk. Ernie’s earlier experiences with the town had taught him that this was the perfect place to raise his family. He would spend the next 59 years of his life with Norfolk as his anchor.Needing a bit more care to navigate life’s challenges, Ernie moved to Geer Lodge in Canaan just this past May.

LAKEVILLE — George R. DelPrete (Rick) passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2026. He was the husband of Barbara for 62 years, and the father of Skip, Jena, and Steve DelPrete, and the grandfather of eight.

Rick was born and brought up in Framingham, Massachusetts, the youngest child of Arthur and Mary DelPrete. He attended St. Stephen’s School, followed by Framingham High School. In high school he was on the honor roll, lettered in football, and on the Student Council. After graduation he attended Bowdoin College, where he majored in history and classics. He was a member of Psi Upsilon, a letter man in football and lacrosse, and President of the Student Council.